ReutersOlympics-Ping pong robots and kitbag fencers - Indians innovate in lockdown
For someone who lost a season to a nagging elbow injury that needed surgery, Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra understandably welcomed the postponement of the Tokyo Games last year. The mop-haired former world junior champion, potentially independent India's first track-and-field Olympic medallist, had hoped to use the extra time to get back to full fitness and try to find his best form. Chopra is one of 90-odd Tokyo-bound Indian athletes who have spent much of the last 12 months agonising over the loss of precious practice time in an Olympic year.
ReutersAthletics-Lyles and Felix finish strong, Metcalf comes up short at Golden Games
Americans Noah Lyles and Allyson Felix finished their races with a burst of speed while NFL star DK Metcalf outperformed expectations but came up short of making next month's Olympic trials at the Golden Games meet in Walnut, California on Sunday. The 200 meter world champion Lyles, the favorite to take home gold in the event at this summer's Tokyo Games, trailed for most of his race but found another gear late to catch countryman Kenny Bednarek over the final five meters to seal the win. "I don't always want to rely on my biggest strengths, I want to work on my weaknesses just as much," Lyles said when asked if he plans to rely on his impressive closing speed going forward.
ReutersOlympics-Organisers hail diving World Cup after anti-COVID measures
Organisers of the diving World Cup in Tokyo hailed on Friday the "successful" staging of the event after implementing strict COVID-19 countermeasures for the more than 400 participants. In what was seen as a dress rehearsal for bringing in international athletes for the Olympics during the pandemic, the diving World Cup, held May 1-6 at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, doubled as a test event for the upcoming Summer Games.
